"True love?" she asked shakily. "Y-you mean...you truly love me?"
He nodded. Oh, how he craved for her lips to be on his. He was tempted to undress her right there, on deck, and make love to her. "Jack...how can someone like you love someone like me?" she asked. They sat up on the ground.
"Because you, my dear, are the most amazingly astounding, wonderful woman I've ever known," he whispered. "I do and always will love you."
"Jack, I-I don't know what to say. I can't-" she tried to say, but he interrupted her.
"Please tell me what your feelings are for me. You don't have to say anything. Not now."
"I have to go..." she whispered.
He stood up and helped her to her feet. "Don't leave me alone again. Not tonight," he pleaded.
"I have to." she said, somewhat firmly. Half of her wanted him to bed her. The other half, the logical side, wouldn't let that happen.
He sighed, his eyes full of disappointment. "I'll walk you back to your cabin," he said quietly.
"Jack, I'm fine," she said, putting her delicate hand on his arm.
"I just want to see that you get there safely."
"I'll be fine. Really," she insisted.
"Let me," he demanded softly.
"All right," she said, catching him off guard when she put her small hand in his. He looked down at her and smiled. Well, forced a smile. He was ending the wedding tonight. If he couldn't be with the woman he loved, he wouldn't be with anyone.
"Don't you need to go get Gabbie?" he reminded her.
"Oh, yes. Of course," she said. She looked into his enthralling blue eyes. She smiled. He smiled back. The smile this time wasn't a forced one. She couldn't tell if it meant comfort or love. Both? No. Probably neither one.
A few minutes later, she was knocking on Helga's door. Helga answered, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. "Hi, Rose," she said.
"I'm sorry I woke you. I just need to get Gabbie," Rose said.
"All right. She's been wonderful tonight."
"Wonderful. Thanks again, Helga," Rose said, once Gabbie was in her arms.
"You're welcome. Good night."
"Good night."
Helga shut the door and Jack and Rose started walking down the hall.
"Here. Let me carry her," he offered.
"I've done this a million times. She's fine," said Rose.
"It must kill your back. Let me help you."
"I don't need your help!" she snapped. "I'm sorry, Jack. I shouldn't have-"
"No. It's all right. I shouldn't have kept on," he said.
She lowered her head. She hadn't meant to say that. But she had. How could he forgive her? She was just a poor commoner and he was one of the wealthy Boston Dawsons.
They reached her berth and she opened the door to an empty room. Her roommates were obviously at the steerage party.
"I would invite you in, but it's rather small..." she told him after putting Gabbie into bed.
"Can I come see you tomorrow?" he asked, ignoring her previous comment.
"I don't know...Jack, you're crazy to think that I'd let myself fall in love with you when you're already promised to someone else. I can't let myself fall in love with you," said Rose.
"You can't control love. So, when I do this..." He kissed her passionately on the mouth. "...do you feel love?" he asked when the kiss broke.
How could she lie to him? She couldn't. He knew her too well. Even if they'd only known each other for two days. "Jack-I-"
"Do you?" he urged.
She looked down and nodded. "But I can't do this knowing you're to be married soon. This is impossible. I can't see you anymore." She turned her back to leave. But he caught her wrist.
"What would you say if I ended it with her?" he asked.
"You'd be giving up money. You know that, don't you?" she asked him.
"Yes, I know that. And I'm willing to give it all up," he said honestly.
"For me?" she asked. He nodded. "You are crazy."
"Milady, I'm only crazy about you." He smiled.
She blushed. "Jack, you shouldn't give up so much for nothing. I have nothing but Gabbie and about ten dollars."
"Nothing? That's what I've always wanted. You love Gabbie. She loves you. You don't take your money for granted. The rich society does," he explained.
She looked down, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to roll down her face. Why was she about to cry? She didn't know. How could she love this man? How could he love her? But they did love each other. That was for sure.
He put a finger under her chin and forced her to look at him. "Rose, I felt something when we kissed. I know you felt it, too," he whispered. He brushed her tears away. She hadn't known she was crying until he did that.
She wiped the remaining tears away. "I'm sorry," she said. But the tears kept flowing.
"Why are you sorry? You have no reason to be," he told her, whispering.
"Jack-" She was interrupted by a kiss. A sweet, passionate, tender kiss. She would've fallen if it wasn't for his strong grip around her waist.
They wrapped their arms around each other after the kiss broke and hugged.
"I have to go tell Elizabeth it's off," he said.
"What-" she tried, but he put a finger on her lips.
"Trust me," he softly demanded.
"I...trust you," she said hesitantly.
"Good night, Rose." He gave her a kiss on the cheek, then on the lips.
"Good night, Jack."
They hugged. "I love you," she whispered in his ear.
His eyes lit up, but she didn't know. "I love you, too."